Hazing Victims in Georgia: Legal Rights, Justice, and How Attorney 911 Can Help

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Georgia: What Families Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just a “college tradition” or “harmless fun”—it’s a dangerous, often illegal practice that has left students in Georgia with severe injuries, psychological trauma, and even death. If your child has been a victim of hazing at a Georgia college, university, or Greek organization, they have legal rights—and Attorney 911 is here to fight for them.

📌 Why Georgia Families Are Choosing Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

While we’re based in Houston, Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Georgia. Here’s why Georgia families trust us:

✅ Proven Hazing Litigation Experience – We’re currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for a student hospitalized due to extreme hazing (waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical abuse).

✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to avoid liability—and we know how to counter their tactics.

✅ Federal Court Authority – We can pursue cases in federal court, which is crucial when national fraternities or multi-state institutions are involved.

✅ Dual-State Licensed (Texas & New York) – This gives us strategic flexibility to take on national organizations headquartered in different states.

✅ Contingency Fee Representation – No upfront costs. We only get paid if we win your case.

✅ Se Habla Español – We serve Georgia’s Spanish-speaking families without language barriers.

✅ Willingness to Travel to Georgia – We’ll come to you for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

🔍 What Counts as Hazing in Georgia?

Georgia law defines hazing as any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.

Common Hazing Practices in Georgia (That Can Lead to Lawsuits)

🚫 Georgia’s Anti-Hazing Laws (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61)

Georgia has criminal penalties for hazing, including:

• Misdemeanor – Up to 12 months in jail and/or $1,000 fine
• Felony – If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, penalties increase significantly

Important: Consent is NOT a defense in Georgia. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

⚖️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Georgia?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible, including:

💰 How Much Is a Georgia Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, depending on the severity of the injuries and the defendants’ ability to pay.

Recent Hazing Case Settlements & Verdicts

What Georgia Families Can Recover

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Georgia

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• Go to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor.
• Document everything (photos of injuries, medical records, hospital bills).
• Mental health matters—seek therapy for PTSD, anxiety, or depression.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

✅ DO:

• Save text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs related to hazing.
• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
• Get names and contact info of witnesses.
• Keep fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules).

❌ DON’T:

• Delete anything (even if it seems embarrassing).
• Post on social media about the incident.
• Confront the fraternity/sorority without legal counsel.
• Sign anything from the organization or university.

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in Georgia).
• Report to the university (Title IX, student conduct office).
• Contact the national fraternity/sorority (if applicable).

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

⏳ Georgia has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Don’t wait—evidence disappears, and your rights expire.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

🎯 Why Georgia Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose
• Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Made to eat until vomiting

This isn’t theoretical—we’re in the fight. And we’ll bring the same aggression to Georgia cases.

2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense

Fraternities and universities will argue: “He agreed to participate. He knew the risks.” But Georgia law says consent is NOT a defense.

We’ll prove:
✔ Coercion and peer pressure negate true consent.
✔ Victims rarely know the true risks of hazing.
✔ “Tradition” doesn’t justify illegal activity.

3. We Go After the Deep Pockets

• National fraternities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, etc.) have millions in assets and insurance.
• Universities (UGA, Georgia Tech, Emory, etc.) have substantial endowments and liability coverage.
• Insurance companies pay out settlements—we know how to negotiate with them.

4. We’ve Won Millions for Victims Like You

• $10+ million in hazing-related cases (current case).
• Multi-million-dollar settlements in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
• Former insurance defense attorneys—we know their playbook.

5. We Travel to Georgia

• Video consultations available for Georgia families.
• We’ll come to Georgia for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
• No distance is too far when justice is at stake.

🏛️ Major Georgia Universities & Greek Life Hazing Risks

Hazing happens at all types of schools—public, private, large, and small. Here are some Georgia institutions where hazing has been reported or could occur:

📢 To Georgia Fraternities & Sororities:
We know your chapters. We know your national organizations. If you haze students in Georgia, we will find you—and we will sue you.

📢 Real Stories: Hazing in Georgia & Beyond

🔴 Case 1: The $10 Million Warning (Our Current Case)

Victim: Leonel Bermudez (University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi)
What Happened:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure (3 nights, 4 days)
  Outcome: $10 million lawsuit filed (November 2025)

Why This Matters for Georgia:
Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at Georgia universities (including UGA and Georgia Tech). If it happened at UH, it can happen in Georgia.

🔴 Case 2: The Death That Changed Louisiana Law

Victim: Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
What Happened:

• Forced to drink during “Bible Study” hazing
• Died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495—6x legal limit)
  Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict + Max Gruver Act (made hazing a felony in Louisiana)

Why This Matters for Georgia:
If a Georgia student dies from hazing, we will pursue the maximum compensation—and push for new laws.

🔴 Case 3: The Fraternity That Waited 12 Hours to Call 911

Victim: Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
What Happened:

• Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes
• Fell down stairs multiple times
• Fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911
• Died from traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding
  Outcome: $110+ million settlement

Why This Matters for Georgia:
Universities cannot ignore hazing. If they fail to act, they will pay.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Georgia Families

1. “My child was hazed but didn’t go to the hospital. Is it still worth pursuing a case?”

Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have suffered:

• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Loss of scholarships or academic opportunities
• Emotional distress from humiliation or abuse

We can pursue compensation for non-physical injuries as well.

2. “The fraternity says my child ‘consented’ to hazing. Can they still be held liable?”

Absolutely. Georgia law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be sued.

3. “We’re worried about retaliation. Will the fraternity/sorority come after us?”

We take retaliation concerns seriously. In our current case, our client is fearful of doing an interview due to retribution. We will:

• Protect your identity if needed.
• File motions to prevent intimidation.
• Pursue additional claims if retaliation occurs.

4. “How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?”

$0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—we only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation, you owe us nothing.

5. “What if the hazing happened off-campus?”

It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal on or off campus, and fraternities/sororities can still be held liable.

6. “Can we sue the university even if they didn’t directly participate?”

Yes. Universities can be held liable for:

• Failing to supervise Greek life
• Ignoring prior hazing incidents
• Allowing hazing to occur on university-owned property

7. “What if my child was a ‘ghost rush’ (not yet enrolled)?”

It doesn’t matter. In our current case, the victim wasn’t even a UH student—he was expected to transfer. Fraternities that haze non-students are even more reckless and can be held liable.

8. “How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Georgia?”

Georgia has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Don’t wait—contact us immediately.

9. “Will this affect my child’s academic or athletic scholarships?”

We will fight to protect your child’s future. Many scholarships have conduct clauses, but we can negotiate with universities to minimize impact.

10. “Can we still sue if the fraternity was suspended or closed?”

Yes. Even if the chapter is closed, the national organization, university, and individual members can still be held liable.

📞 Georgia Families: Call Attorney 911 Now

If your child has been hazed in Georgia, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com

We don’t just talk about hazing—we’re fighting it right now. And we’ll fight for Georgia families with the same relentless dedication.

🚨 To Georgia Fraternities & Sororities: We Are Watching

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta:

If your chapter operates in Georgia, know this:

• We are tracking your national organizations.
• We are monitoring your chapters.
• We have successfully sued fraternities like yours—and we will do it again in Georgia.

The $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi is a warning. Clean up your chapters—or we will clean them out in court.

🏆 Why Georgia Families Trust Attorney 911

✅ Proven Track Record – We’re litigating a $10 million hazing case right now.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know how the other side thinks.
✅ Federal Court Authority – We can pursue cases nationwide.
✅ No Upfront Costs – We only get paid if we win.
✅ Se Habla Español – No language barriers for Georgia families.
✅ Willing to Travel to Georgia – We’ll come to you for depositions and trials.

Georgia families: You are not alone. We will fight for you.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com